Napa, CA (PRWEB) – FlyWithWine, the leading retailer of safe and secure wine travel luggage, announces the concierge same day/next day delivery program in Napa/Sonoma. Solving the problem of worrying how to ship wine home safely and avoiding high-priced shipping costs, FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise® is a wine enthusiast’s dream. It is well-built, easy-to-roll luggage that comes in 8 and 12 bottle capacities. If you are not carrying a full case, then you can pack clothes or other items too. The best part is that you or your local concierge can have the suitcase sent directly to your home, hotel room, or Air B+B.

Anyone who travels with wine knows how difficult and expensive it can be. FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise® offers ultimate reusable protection, convenience, and versatility. Easily and safely transport your wine anywhere you want to go. Fully packed, it typically weighs between 43-50 lbs, staying under airline limits. It also conforms to all applicable TSA, FAA, and airline luggage standards.

“Being someone who regularly travels the world with wine, I know how frustrating it can be to get stuck with expensive shipping costs and no guarantee on ensuring the integrity of your wine. The first time I used my VinGardeValise, I knew I had to share it with the world. Our free same-day delivery service in Napa and next day in Sonoma, and free ground shipping in the continental United States, allows us to do just that. Don’t take my word for it, try it yourself and let your senses be your guide.” Ron Scharman, CEO FlyWithWine.com.

The removable wine cavities are especially designed to hold a combination of bottles of almost any shape. The suitcase includes a special Burgundy shaped cavity and a Bordeaux cavity that has removable “shoulder” pads to ensure a snug fit. From Champagne to Riesling, you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your bottles. In addition, there are optional special inserts for magnums, wine glasses, and custom needs.

Recap:
WHO – FlyWithWine.com
WHAT – FlyWithWine’s concierge network same-day delivery of the VinGardeValise® – The world’s first suitcase designed exclusively for transporting wine
WHEN – Available now on FlyWithWine.com
WHERE – Available in The United States and Canada
HOW MUCH- 12 Bottle suitcase – $269 plus tax. 8 Bottle suitcase – $199 plus tax. *Shipping is inclusive for all orders in the continental United States
—
About FlyWithWine
FlyWithWine is the leader in superior wine travel luggage. Operated by a group of wine enthusiasts who live in Napa and travel around the world, we are inspired by solving the complications involved with transporting wine safely and securely. By combining style and stability with a durable design, wine enthusiasts can transport their wine safely by plane, train, automobile, jet ski, boat, hang glider, submarine, gondola, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, and more. (Please travel safely).

The only auctions we’ve ever purchased wine from were Juan Alonso’s at Le Chene benefitting the senior center, Circle of Hope’s Vine 2 Wine and an event I co-hosted: Toast and a Wish. Those were little auctions in comparison to the ones held in Napa Valley that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, or any auction – ever – held by a respected auction house like Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Why no those? Because we don’t have that kind of money.

If you do buy wine via wine auction, or are a vinophile, you’ve undoubtedly heard the story of Rudy Kurniawan by now. (I’ll be just abbreviating his name to RK for the rest of this article, as he’s all over this.) RK wormed his way into the wine world first by buying wine in large amounts, possibly driving up price and demand, and then started selling large amounts of it.

A new film on Netflix, Sour Grapes, is an a eye-opening documentary on RK that I just watched before writing this article.

The wine RK sold via auction couldn’t be pinpointed to a specific source or cellar other than his own and he relied on the opinions, or so he said, of other respected somms of their quality.

There were no actual tests done by the auction houses to authenticate the wines before putting them up for sale.

Things unraveled when one millionaire buyer and a French winemaker started to question RK more and more. The film is compelling to watch as the sleuths uncover RK’s work and, finally, get into his Arcadia home where everything from a printing press to bottles soaking in a sink long enough to remove their labels are exposed.

We learn in the film that Petrus didn’t make a magnum for the vintage year RK sold, glossy photos of bottles in the auction program were of fakes, one winery didn’t even exist in the vintage years sold and while a label looked brand new – albeit misspellings appeared – the foil capsules were definitely from older vintages.

Also of note in the film was a person I recognized in several shots drinking with RK: Calogero Drago of Pasadena’s Celestino restaurant. I Googled their names together and found nothing. But, if you watch the film, you will see and hear from many people that trusted, and some that still trust, RK. I found that interesting too.

We wine people are a tight bunch. If I find someone I like to taste with, that is sharing some nice wines, I might not ask/care how the wine was obtained. But I would be embarrassed to have liked a wine that turned out to have been blended by someone other than the true winemaker.

There is a scene with Christian Navarro of Wally’s Wine where a few bottles of Rudy’s wine is brought in and tasted, two or three people claim it as being perfect, and Navarro calls it out for crap. That was hard to watch.

Then this hit my newsfeed: a report of Fake Whiskey in the auction market. The article highlights a 1903 Laphroaig but the story doesn’t end there. Like RK’s cellar, these whiskies may still be out there and available via auctions, and in personal collections.

How much fake wine and whiskey could there be on the market? How much may already be purchased but the buyer left unaware? Are the auction houses now taking more serious precautions? I’m a wee bit grateful not to be a millionaire right now.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

The SCV Custom Crush Services, owned by Pulchella Winery winemakers Nate Hasper and Steve Lemley, has dozens of clients making wine at their state-of-the-art facility – who may have started on their journey after attending winemaking classes like Winemaker for a Day. Winemakers and wine fans alike may also have come to SCV Custom Crush Services after reading about their recent awards in Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Now you have the same opportunity to learn why Merlot is the best blending grape and why Petite Sirah is sometimes added for color alone, when Hasper and Lemley lead vinophiles in an exclusive wine blending class for 50 students only on Sunday May 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“When have you ever had the chance to relax in a winery barrel room and learn first hand, from winemakers, the secret of blending wines?” Lemley asked with a grin. “On top of that, take home a magnum-sized bottle of your very own custom blended creation drawn straight out of the barrel. Just think what your friends will say when you open your magnum and tell everyone that you actually blended the bottle yourself.

Our ‘Winemaker for a Day’ begins when you arrive and are greeted with a glass, beaker and small cheese and cracker plate as we settle down for ‘class.’ The fun will then continue with the secrets of blending – where Nate and I will share our tricks of the trade. With beaker and wine samples at your table, you will then work to create your very own custom blend, and end by placing the cork in your magnum to take home!”

The last time I co-chaired a big wine event, Pour Into Haiti with Roman Weiser and David Schutz, I counted on these two very capable men to harness the winery help while I could focus on being the social networking butterfly. With the Circle of Hope (COH) taking over the Betty Ferguson Foundation’s Vine 2 Wine…I was able to attract the big gun behind the former SCV Wine Classic, Jeff Jacobson, to persuade and secure the wineries. Enter the inaugural Vine 2 Wine CLASSIC.

This was far beyond my realm. Several meetings whizzed by. Fast forward to the morning of the event and my husband Eddie and I found ourselves picking up dozens of cases of wine from Jeff’s house and helping him unload at the event site. It was dizzying working alongside the volunteers all morning. When it was lunch time – Jeff had arranged for all of the volunteers to have lunch – he gave the wine pourers a quick pep talk and…we were off.

Eddie, planning on working the sparkling table we were assigned to together, was left with about six other women instead…as I was the official “greeter” that thanked all of the guests for supporting COH. (A note on our table: John Carter, the owner of BarParts.com, gave me a gold-plated Champagne opener to use. Remove the cage, clamp the serrated edges on the cork, turn the bottle, and voilà, it worked like a charm!)

Once inside guests could look at original art, have some lunch, listen to music, bid on silent auction items, partake in a “wine pull”, enjoy the Beer Garden of Hope or…taste wine. At one point our local radio-personality Janice Murray called me up to the microphone. She said to tell people some kind of wine hint, my mind when blank, I think I stammered, “Stay away from my library wine tables, that’s all for me” in my usual charming way.

This is what guests found on their own:

CLASSIC surprises

We keep some secrets from the general public which included the wine yoke, a fabric necklace with several sturdy grips for a wine glass because, as I told guests as they entered, “Circle of Hope cares….and wants you to be comfortable and hands-free for the tasting today.”

The “Library” wine donators weren’t made public before the event as well as exactly what rare wines may be available.

And, since we had to move from a few tents to a few tents plus three pavilions, two were named after Betty Ferguson Foundation Founders Judy Cox and Marjanne Priest and one was named for the Circle of Hope Founder, Colleen Shaffer.

CLASSIC Quotes

When Jeff asked me to go to all of the tents to thank the volunteers and the winery representatives for coming out to support the event, I took the time to also check in with guests to ask what their favorite wine of the day was. And though I mentioned their favorite exact “descriptor” in this week’s Eve’s Wine 101 YouTube (link) …I’m not putting that in print. (Suffice to say, the volunteers, winery representatives and guests all had a great experience and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.)

Elizabeth Hopp: 2000 Talley Pinot Noir.

Cathy Martin: 2006 Silver Oak Magnum at the Circle of Hope table.

Rose Chegwin by way of Kathy Crone: Les Deux Chats and Pulchella. (Our local winemakers!)

Diane Ghilardi: Pulchella and Morello Pinot Noir (Nick Morello, you may remember, was the first manager at Valencia Wine Co., made wines at Leona Valley, and now, I can attest, makes an outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.)

I also asked Jeff Jacobson what he would like to add: “We want to especially thank all the wineries for trusting in our “great expectation” that the event would be attended by so many people that their attendance, as with the Wine Classic, would be worth their while, and to single out two very important people whose ongoing support was paramount in importance: John Burton of Southern Wine & Spirits of So. California, who recruited several wineries for the event, and Kevin Byrne of Wine Warehouse who not only recruited several wineries, but also ran the Beer Garden of Hope. Without the ongoing support of these amazing and generous people, as well as our friends who donated those incredible library wines from their own cellars, as well as the volunteers, we could not have had such an outstanding event, particularly on less than three months’ notice.”

Dave Ford & the Last Set, Kelly’s Lot and Stagg Street Band Rhythm Section. Walking through the venue I happened upon a young woman, Brittney Westover, that sang between band sets. Brittney works, and often performs, at the Roman Holiday Wine Lounge. She brought me to tears when she sang from an opera for us today!

Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Lost Coast Brewery, Napa Smith Brewery and Mission Brewery, were manned by volunteers Doug Penman and Sam Senner. A note on Sam: He flew in from Alaska to assist at the event! He not only helped in the Beer Garden of Hope but also stepped in to make pulled pork with the many other tireless volunteers.

CLASSIC Plans

You’ll just have to stay tuned to find out the date and venue for next year. But, before I give you a taste of the wines, just a thank you to everyone that made this event so successful. From the volunteers to the guests and back around to the women with breast cancer we strive to help, take pride in knowing that you strengthened the circle of hope last Sunday. Learn more here: http://www.circleofhopeinc.org/v2/

I often run into longtime marrieds, Robert and Darlene Gandara, as they seem to enjoy an occasional end of their workday at Valencia Wine Company over a glass or two of Chardonnay. I got to know them a little better, and appreciate their amazing generosity, when Robert gave his all for our Senior Center in the last Dancing with Our Stars benefit.

And, as with most wine people, once getting together, over wine, the secrets start to tumble out.

“I came home from work one day and found four opened bottles of wine,” Darlene began in her tale of woe. “And not one of them, I know you didn’t expect this, was empty! I asked Robert what had happened. He said he was looking for a Chardonnay and couldn’t find one. I noticed that yes, some of the bottles were white wines, but one was a Pinot Noir!”

(Apparently, in Robert’s defense, he sometimes wears contact lenses for far-sightedness, which cancels out reading and up close viewing.)

Darlene continued to torture Robert and tell me the rest of the story: He couldn’t tell which was the Chardonnay at all. This is when Darlene began to use her “dot” method. Although, Robert wouldn’t agree, she began putting dots on her bottles when a new-to-wine-and-no-clue relative opened a bottle that they shouldn’t have.

So this is how the method works – even if you do or don’t have the problem that the Gandaras have I think it a great system! Arm yourself with colored dot stickers to mark:

Orange – A fruity summer wine that doesn’t have to be aged to be enjoyed.

Yellow – Not an overly expensive wine, you can open it, it’s ready to drink at any time.

Green – Medium priced wine that can be shared with appreciative pals.

Pink – A wine with a long finish, aged in the cellar, and not to be opened unless Darlene is present. She mentioned that a Goldeneye would be in this category.

THREE PINK DOTS – “Don’t even look at this wine as it belongs to Darlene.” She is the only one allowed to open. In this category Darlene, gazing into Robert’s eyes, said, “Think magnums of Sea Smoke, Caymus or Dom Pérignon.

FOR ROBERT’S CHARDONNAY – Must have a dot with a handwritten cross on it so that Robert can find it easily and the marriage can stay intact another 30 years.

And keep a legend! Darlene has hers kept on the back of a wall plaque.

“This will probably be 2015’s most exciting wine event featuring the world’s most popular wine. TCS was started about six years ago by the Santa Maria AVA folks, featuring local notables like Jim Clendenen, Adam Tolmach, Jonathan Nagy… It was basically a couple simultaneous panels with a Grand Tasting afterward. Over the years it attracted panel leaders like Steve Heimoff and Karen MacNeil and then last year moved to Pismo in a slightly smaller format, with Matt Kettman as panel leader. This year it seems to have exploded into an international event with the edginess of In Pursuit of Balance and the comprehensiveness of WOPN. There are Grand Tastings both Friday and Saturday; intriguing dinners both nights and seminars that will appeal to everyone from the Interested Consumer to the Over-Achieving Professional…” Santa Barbara Photographer, Bob Dickey.

Tasting

Thanks to Bob Dickey I had this great precursor to The Chardonnay Symposium (TCS). I was looking forward to my full-throttle education of all things Chardonnay, already knowing that the best way to learn about a varietal is to taste from different AVAs and winemakers. After experiencing TCS for the first time, I hope that more wine event planners move away from the “drunk fest” and into this arena as we, as attendees, not only learn more that way, but our winemakers are met with the truly interested and not just those out for a buzz.

All of my notes are from the class (as that’s where I could sit and type on my mini) but I thoroughly enjoyed the two tastings too. If you scroll down to the bottom of this post I have highlighted my favorites in bold.

Hanzell Mount Eden Retrospective Tasting

Just check out the years of these wines – a “historic tasting” from 2011 back to 1994! If you haven’t had an older vintage chardonnay, or even if you have, there is something to learn from what a little age can do to a wine varietal not commonly aged.

Fred Dame, MS, led our seminar. He started with a story of when he drank a 1929 Montrachet – a Chardonnay – that stayed perfect throughout a dinner. Dame said that we don’t cellar our wines, homes aren’t built with cellars and the average aging time for a wine is 8 hours. This may have been a jest but we all understood that the average consumer does not hold onto their wines for very long. They are usually purchased to drink now.

Fred Dame, MS, in one-liners

Dame said, seeing us salivate, that this experience “is too dry” so let’s get started with the tasting.

Original Chardonnay was called Pinot Chardonnay in the states.

Martini planted Chards in the 50s and 60s.

Most back then were fortified wines, and the vines were in mostly Riverside.

The wines we have today are really newcomers.

There are ongoing experiments using high elevation, and the older ones are doing really well.

These two, Hanzell and Mount Eden, sell most if not all wine to members.

First read on a plaque at a golf course, Dame shared, “Gentleman stand back a moment, you are one of the privileged few to have this experience” which we all found truly apropos for today as well.

Hanzell Vineyards

Winemaker Michael McNeill said that their wines are made based on their ability to age in the cellar. Hanzell built the first stainless steel fermentation tanks in the world. “A quantum leap as to what was done before” McNeill said. They “pioneered the use of inert gas” and wanted to use French oak to follow what was being done in France. (The new winery is now all from scratch, Dame added. The original Heritage winery is now abandoned.) McNeill’s first vintage would be the 2008 we were going to taste today.

Mount Eden Vineyards

Along with Stoney Hill, these three (Hanzell and Mount Eden) were early big wineries, according to winemaker Jeffrey Patterson. Martin Ray, while recovering from a nervous breakdown in his 30s, bought Masson from Paul Masson – though Masson was sure he’d be successful if Ray bought and planted his own vineyard. Ray owned Masson for six years before he sold it to Seagram in 1943. Then Ray, heeding Masson’s original idea, bought the property right next door and planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Patterson believes that his white burgundy (chardonnay) is comparable to a grand cru classic burgundy. First vintage was 1972 and Patterson has been there since 1981.

Tasting – aromas and flavors separated by ;

2011 Mount Eden

There was a winter storm in the middle of bloom, following a cold winter, which made the crop small and the wine more ripe and concentrated.

Patterson said this was his worst vintage, and the wine got remarkably better with age.

Cheddar cheese, some bark, peach; huge in the mouth, both the fruit and a backbone of smoke, could be described as both fine and intense. My favorite so far…

2001 Hanzell (from magnum)

Anise, Brie, ripe pineapple; tastes like the same profile of a younger wine, very crisp, acidic, extremely long finish.

1996 Mount Eden

Patterson used cross cultivation, no weeds, square grid and a 10 by 10 spacing, and that was the last year to use old vine fruit.

Honey, jasmine, cling peaches; not that sweet on the palate as it was on the nose, creamy, beautiful fruit, clinging to my tongue but still craving more. Remarkable. My second favorite of the tasting.

1994 Hanzell (from magnum)

McNeill said that fine wine is incredibly inspiring, and these older wines show what Chardonnay can be.

The most honey-colored of the older wines. Smells like a dessert wine, honeysuckle, very fresh, honey, hard candy; creamy, again not as sweet on the palate, but a perfect balance of fruit and acidity with a staggeringly long finish. Another learning experience, I agreed with McNeill, this is what Chardonnay could be.

My Conclusion

Between the seated and walk-around tastings I kept thinking, these are all very fine, whether the winemaker chose to use no or some oak contact; and 100% of the cellared older vintages were really interesting. I generally felt that the fruit and mouthfeel lingered quite pleasantly on the older wines, which was a new discovery for me. So I’ll be holding some in cellar from now on. And I gotta buy some magnums to do it! Maybe a 1995, our daughter’s birth year, would be a good one to seek out.

Participating Wineries

ADELAIDA Cellars

Au Bon Climat

Beauregard Vineyards

Bodega Catena Zapata

Byron Winery

CALDORA

Calera Wine Company

Cambria Winery

Capensis

Center of Effort Wines

Chamisal Vineyards

Clos de Chacras

Cotiere

Cuvaison Estate Wines

Edna Valley Vineyard

Falcone Family Wines

Fog Crest Vineyard

Foxen Vineyards

Gainey Vineyard

Grgich Hills Winery

Hanzell Vineyards

Hugo Casanova

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

J. Wilkes

Jack Creek Cellars

Labyrinth Winery

Laetitia Vineyards & Winery

Liquid Farm

Mattina Fiore Wines

Melville Winery

Migration

Mooney Family Wines

Mount Eden Vineyards

Neotiants USA

Niner Wine Estates

Niven Family Wines

Patz & Hall

Paul Lato Wines

Poseidon Vineyard

Presqu’ile Vineyards

Sinor-LaVallee

St Francis Winery

Stephen Ross Wine Cellars

Swanson Vineyards

Talley Vineyards

Thomas Fogarty Winery

Toad Hollow Winery

Tolosa Winery

Tooth & Nail Winery

Tudor Wines

Wente

Wine Australia

Wolff Vineyards

Wrath Wines

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

2015 marks WOPN’s 15th Anniversary, fittingly our Crystal Anniversary. Expect legions of crystal stemware, filled with amazing wines, complemented by Santa Barbara Wine Country cuisine and all set on the shores of the Pacific Ocean – the edge of the Western Hemisphere. Events are sold on a first-come, first-served basis – we look forward to sharing a glass (or two) of Pinot with you.

Our Friday Pinot Noir by the Sea Focus Tasting will feature 100 producers each pouring library and current release selections. Meet and mingle with the winemakers and hear their take on regional terroir and vintages. Make sure to check out all our winery participants, while you nibble on seasonal wine country appetizers from the Bacara culinary team. Don’t miss your opportunity to bid on large format silent auction items and sample the cheese display from C’est Cheese.

It’s Surf or Turf…Water, Earth & Fire for dinner on Friday night at WOPN! Choose from a set of three very focused and intimate dinners from three of our favorite local restaurants.

Choose Water for the best of fresh seafood delectables prepared by Chef David Reardon of Bacara. Water winery participants include Flying Goat Cellars, J Vineyards, Heart & Hands Winery, and Presqu’ile Winery.

The Bacara Wine Cellar will once again be the setting for the intimate Featured Burgundy Dinner. Three dozen guests will dine with our featured Burgundy producer, Alexandrine Roy. Domaine Marc Roy is one of the smallest domains in Burgundy and Alexandrine has graciously raided her own cellar for this special dinner. She has selected 2012 Marsannay Les Champs Perdrix Blanc, 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin “La Justice” and 2006-2009 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur to pair with the six-course, gourmet meal created by Chef Reardon.

The Saturday WOPN Burgundy Seminar continues to receive accolades from industry and consumers alike. Don Kinnan has raised the stakes again. This year he is joined by wine educator Nick Poletto as they focus in on Côte Chalonnaise, Gevrey-Chambertin & Vosne-Romanée.

Session 1: Explore Côte Chalonnaise which lies immediately south of Burgundy’s acclaimed Côte d’Or. It shares much in common with its illustrious neighbor: a history of viticulture going back to the Romans, a monastic influence in the vineyards, and soil types from the same geological period. We will delve into the wines from Mercurey, Givry, and Rully.

Session 2: Determine if Gevrey-Chambertin or Vosne-Romanée will stake the claim as the producer of “Burgundy’s Best Reds.” This session will settle the controversy in a true courtroom fashion. The verdict will be yours. Will Gevrey with its Napoleonic endorsement and 9 Grands Crus take the title, or will Vosne-Romanée with its glamour and reputation reign supreme?

Renowned for being a food friendly varietal, explore how Pinot Noir pairs with mushrooms and sea urchin at our Foodie Frenzy Seminars on Saturday morning. Listen to local funghi guru and educator Bob Cummings discuss everything about mycology and how regional Pinot Noir pairs with mushrooms. Local sea urchin expert, Stephanie Mutz, will lead guests on an exploration of this spiny creature with Pinot pairings from the Bacara culinary team. Enjoy 3 wine & food pairings at each seminar, a cooking demonstration, and the additional insight provided by our winemaker panelists including Ryan Zotovich (Zotovich Estate Vineyard), Gray Hartley (Hitching Post II) and others yet to be determined.

The Saturday Pinot Noir by the Sea Grand Tasting will feature a different roster of wineries from California and even more wines from our international and regional participants. The Grand Tasting continues the World of Pinot Noir tradition of Pinot Noir by the Sea. The Grand Ballroom and Terraces will be the setting for more than 120 producers of our alluring grape. Chef David Reardon and his culinary team will pull out all the stops with tasty pinot inspired appetizers. C’est Cheese will be there with their incredible cheese tasting and our Silent Auction returns with a new slate of magnums, verticals and special bottlings.

As this is the fifteenth anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir, you can expect a lot of crystal stemware to grace your table. Join us at the Black tie optional 6-course Crystal Anniversary Dinner and enjoy the exemplary service of our sommeliers and the exquisite wine country cuisine of the Bacara culinary team. Indulge on a library selection from the 2000 vintage as well as a current releasefrom each of our featured participants: Talley Vineyards, Williams Selyem Winery, Calera Wine Co., Foxen Vineyard & Winery, Patz & Hall and one additional winery yet to be named.

You’ll often hear our audience refer to rock star wineries, and at WOPN there is no shortage of rock star producers. This year we are paying tribute to one winemaker who has been crafting beautiful wines and been an integral part of WOPN for many years. It gives us great pleasure to honor Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Winery as our featured Rock Star of Pinot Noir. Gear up for a little rock n’ roll under the stars with the Rock Stars of Pinot Noir Dinner event! Discover your perfect Pinot pairing with food stations designed by the Bacara culinary team and large format bottle selections from our winery participants.

Master Sommelier Fred Dame acknowledges life has become a bit more interesting since being featured in the movie SOMM. SpendSaturday evening with him as he hosts the intimate 6-course Vintage Burgundy Dinner in the Bacara Wine Cellar. Limited to just 3 dozen guests Fred Dame has hand selected the following seven wines from the Court of Master Sommelier’s cellar for this once in a lifetime experience:

2004 Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes

2005 Bruno Colin Saint-Aubin Le Charmois

1990 Louis Jadot Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru

1980 Philippe Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers

1999 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques

1993 Camille Guiraud Nuits St. Georges Le Pruliers

1993 Louis Jadot Musigny

Luxury Accommodations and Lodging at World of Pinot Noir

Bacara Resort & Spa WOPN Room Rates: Bacara is offering special WOPN room rates from March 1st through March 7th. Last year the resort was completely booked before February so please make your plans early for this upcoming year.

To make a reservation during WOPN at Bacara or for additional information on room offerings please call their reservationist at 1.888.974.5271 or click on the link: Bacara Room Booking Link

Enter the group code to view the special room rate information on their website: WOPN Group Code: WOPN0215

World of Pinot Noir – Bringing Pinot Noir producers together with Pinot Noir enthusiasts for a weekend of celebration & education on March 6th & 7th, 2015 at Bacara Resort, Santa Barbara, CA.

Grass Valley, CA – The premier tasting event for Zinfandel lovers will celebrate its 24th anniversary, January 29-31, 2015 with four festive celebratory events over three days that feature a diverse selection of wines and styles from renowned producers and emerging wineries. The Zinfandel Experience provides opportunities for both new and seasoned wine lovers to embrace the varietal’s evolution.

Set at the historic Presidio overlooking the San Francisco Bay and the iconic Four Seasons Hotel, the Zinfandel Experience is the largest single varietal tasting of its kind, bringing together top producers and wine lovers to celebrate America’s grape. “In response to feedback, the Zinfandel Experience is better designed to help attendees make meaningful connections with winemakers, winery owners, and fellow enthusiasts.

Building on the success of our move to the Presidio, the new format for Saturday’s tasting provides each ticket holder with access to all venues and allows participants to taste a wide variety of Zinfandels in a casual and relaxed atmosphere,” said Mark Vernon, President, Ridge Vineyards and Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP). The 2015 Zinfandel Experience Event Line-Up includes:

6 to 8pm, Golden Gate Club, the Presidio of San Francisco
Mix and mingle with 30 top winemakers, master chefs, culinary experts and Zinfandel lovers while exploring the versatile flavors of Zinfandel at this informal dine-around. New this year is an expanded venue at the Golden Gate Club with the addition of a spacious tented courtyard highlighting its striking views. Taste sophisticated and whimsical culinary creations from some of the Bay Area’s most acclaimed restaurants and food purveyors perfectly paired with top Zinfandels. Friday January 30

Flights! is a professional tasting seminar focusing on highly allocated, limited production Zinfandels. Experts will offer insights while participants experience the range, depth and character of the wines. ZAP is partnering with the Historic Vineyard Society to present wines from exceptional old vine Zinfandels. Space is limited.

Go glamorous! Mad Men, the popular TV show, is the inspiration for the Winemakers Reception, Dinner and Auction. The stylish, sleek, and jazzy atmosphere captivates as the city lights of San Francisco dazzle. The enhanced reception features winemakers ‘pouring it big’ with magnums and reserve offerings. The intimate dinner hosted by celebrity winemakers features a menu that boasts the best in farm-to-table cuisine. Limited offering wines, one-of-a-kind lots, rare bottles, wine-related experiences and more will be offered at the silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit ZAP’s programs, education and Heritage projects. Dress in vintage fashion flair and celebrate the mod mood of 1965.
Title sponsor: TricorBraun WinePak

Golden Gate Club & Film Centre, Presidio of San Francisco The centerpiece of the 2015 Zinfandel Experience is The Tasting, where wine lovers engage in personal conversations with winemakers while exploring the flavors of Zinfandel blends, single vineyards and old vine Zinfandels or discover the distinctive dialects of Zinfandel growing regions. Special workshops on terroir, wine-making styles and sensory aspects will be held. At the reserve and barrel tasting, one hundred winemakers and principals will offer a “sneak peak” tasting at their tables for VIPs and all day ticket holders.

For package details, special ZAP member and non-member ticket prices, information on the ultimate VIP Package and a list of participating wineries at each event, visit Zinfandel Experience. For information on other sponsorship opportunities, contact the ZAP office. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.

Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts comprise the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America’s grape. The Zinfandel Experience is the largest single varietal tasting of its kind, now celebrating its 24th year.

Yes, I met another personal chef and caterer. I love them all. Each has something different to add to the mix. (Google me to see who I’m talking about!) And Shelly Maddocks, that got my attention a little differently, is the latest.

A week ago a Facebook friend e-mailed me about some Hurricane Lamps she saw as holiday, or any day, centerpiece. I’ve seen Hurricane Lamps before, big whoop, but…at first glance saw something different.

These were made from single, double and even triple-sized wine magnum-sized bottles. I decided I needed to see them for myself and e-mailed the local resident responsible.

Going to Shelly’s house in Stevenson Ranch, I was greeted not only by a warm home but also by Shelly’s not-too-bad-on-the-eyes Air Force test pilot husband, Brian.

Transferred, and readying for Brian’s military retirement, the Maddocks (which also includes their 12 year-old son Mason) chose Stevenson Ranch to make their permanent home. That was three years ago, and exactly when Shelly began her catering business full-throttle in our community.

“I love Santa Clarita,” began Shelly. “I started out by donating catered meals to our schools, Special Olympics and wherever it’s ‘humanly possible’. It helped me meet some very nice people. I’ll be catering the WE of SCV (Women Entrepreneurs) Holiday Party in December and am considering joining that group as well.”

Looking over to their exquisite dining room Brian then showed me the bottles up close. The bottles are manufactured first, and then the bottoms removed. “The Hurricane Wine Lamp is our ‘flagship’ item in our new gift line,” Shelly explained. “I think it a great alternative gift to bring to a wine-loving couple. Especially if the gift-giver doesn’t know what wine to bring…why guess and bring the wrong wine? Or, why bring what everyone else does?”

When I asked about the bottoms, Brian showed me how well they worked to hold small corkscrews and corks. But they were unsure if they would pursue having them finished off for sale as well. (But are willing to take reader’s suggestions!)

I wanted to learn more how Shelly, a Texan that cooks with a South West flair, makes her meals “personal.”

“I cater anywhere from 2-60 guests. I have florists, buy my foods and wine locally, and I decorate if that’s what my client wants. But I also stay after the meal is made to make the experience intimate for everyone. I don’t do 100 guests, as I’d be stuck just worrying about how to keep 100 plates warm. It’s not all about the food for me. I stay for every meal until the last person drops.”

“I think that’s why I came up with the gift line of Hurricane Wine Lamps. I wanted to personalize a dining table or bar and these make such a nice statement. I also offer Gift Certificates so you can choose whether to have a long-remembered catered event or a permanent centerpiece.”

What about wine?

“My favorite thing to do is wine pairing, as it’s all in the flavor. Pairing sweet or salty food with the right wine makes the food. You can’t drink any Cab with any thing. I love all reds all the way to Ports. And of course I cook with wine. I make wine reduction sauces, wine goes into my spaghetti sauces and my lasagna.”

“I did a wedding for 55 people with 7 different cheese displays and different wines. The guests couldn’t believe the pairings with creamy, sweet and even Stilton Bleu cheese. Then I added with fruits, like fig over Brie, honey with Spanish Manchego cheese, which brought out even more flavors in the wine pairing.

More Than 40 Chateaux from Left and Right Banks of Bordeaux to Debut the 2013 Wine Futures Vintage, Along with 2011 and 2010 Varietals

Exclusive Tastings for the Trade and the Public at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – March 2014: The famed Le Cercle Rive Droite, representing the premier Merlot based winemakers of the Right Bank and Le Cercle Rive Gauche, the paralleled organization representing the top Cabernet based winemakers of the Left Bank, have united under one cause – The Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux.

On Monday, April 7th for one day only over 40 winemakers from The Grand Cercle will treat Angelenos to an exclusive unveiling of their most prized possessions, ranging from the 2013 “en primeur” vintage (“wine futures”) to the most widely celebrated 2011 and 2010 varietals.

Only the most respected winemakers are invited to join the ranks of this elite organization. Now with almost 200 chateaux under this umbrella, the mission has been set to enlighten wine drinkers from connoisseur to novice across the globe about the superb, top-of-the-range, reasonably priced wines teeming from this famous French wine region.

Weather, a prominent factor in all winemaking, has taken a specific toll on the 2013 harvest across all of France, with frigid temperatures and freezing rain throughout the growing season. And in July, one of the worst storms in Medoc since 1999 came barreling through the Left Bank followed by record-breaking hail. The greatly reduced Bordeaux harvest fewer makes previewing this limited vintage an even more impressive and exceptional coup.

Two outstanding events are produced by LearnAboutWine.com. For members of the trade and press, the winemakers will proudly showcase their vintages at Casa de Mar in Santa Monica (1910 Ocean Way) on April 7, 2014, from 12pm – 5pm. The trade may register for the event at Trade Grand Cercle Vins de Bordeaux.

For the consumer, a rare tasting has been added, offering the public the opportunity to sample some of the best French Cabernet and Merlot vintages from the past few years. This select consumer tasting will also be held at Casa del Mar and is scheduled from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The consumer tasting includes a generous Silent Auction, featuring rare to find Magnums of prestigious Bordeaux wines, and benefits THE TJ MARTELL FOUNDATION for Children’s Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Tickets are $75 for 6:30 General Admission and $125 for 6pm VIP tickets with early entrance and buffet dinner. Consumer tickets may be purchased from Learn About Wine through Consumer Grand Cercle Vins de Bordeaux.

Dr. Alain Raynaud, president of The Grand Cercle, founder of Le Cercle Rive Droite in 2002 and once dubbed “Bordeaux Maverick” by Decanter Magazine, champions the shared commitment of each member of the organization. “The Grand Cercle wines are united by a code of practice with obligations ranging from the meticulous care of the grapes during harvest, to the protection of the vineyards and dedication to a minimal carbon footprint and to a continued quest for innovation.” A former general practitioner, Dr. Raynaud, owner of Château du Parc, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru since 2011, has been leaving a mark on the Bordeaux industry since the 1990’s. Media interviews will be available on site upon request.

About “En Primeur” Wines: The practice of “en primeur” is a trusted method utilized in the wine industry, particularly a popular practice amongst Bordeaux winemakers wherein critics and consumers are able to both taste and purchase the young vintage while the wine is still in the barrel. Typically “en primeur” wines are unveiled while still only 6-8 months in age and can act as a predictor for critics to assemble projections for how successful the harvest was and develop proper tasting notes for each wine. Purchasing “en primeur” vintages can even have a financial advantage for the consumer as the wines have not fully matured and factors including aging, climate control, blending of grapes, etc. have not been taken into account.

To register for the trade and press portion visit
Trade Grand Cercle Vins de Bordeaux